Sledding in New York City: Grab Your Flexible Flyers and Snow Tubes

Another day of weather alerts has us salivating for great sledding in New York City. The city's parks offer some of the best from Central Park and Riverside Park in Manhattan to Prospect Park in Brooklyn and pretty much all of Riverdale in the Bronx. If the snow sticks and it isn't too wet, I'll be at either Cedar Hill or Pilgrim Hill. Here are some other great spots to choose from that might be closer to you, especially since mass transit is a bit slow today, train service has been cancelled, and many streets are closed. Don't forget to bring your cross-country skis as well. You never know.

Here’s where to find some snow sports action in New York City:

MANHATTAN
Central Park on the East Side and Riverside Park on the West Side are the destinations of choice for snow action:

Cedar Hill - Central Park

Cedar Hill in Central Park on the Upper East Side (Fifth Avenue between 76th and 79th streets)- my favorite despite the throngs

Pilgrim Hill in Central Park on the Upper East Side (Fifth Avenue and 72nd Street) – my other favorite, also crowded

Near the Metropolitan Museum on the Upper East Side (Central Park, Fifth Avenue and 81st Street) – gentler slope that’s great for little kids (behind the Ancient Playground)

Riverside Park on the Upper West Side, Riverside Drive at 103rd Street – for adults and kids alike

Riverside Park on the Upper West Side, Riverside Drive at 91st Street – much scarier; not recommended for children

BROOKLYN

Fort Greene Park – steepest area is at the back part of the hill leading down to Myrtle Avenue; smallest hill is near Willoughby entrance of Myrtle Avenue.

Prospect Park has many choices:

9th Street and Prospect Park West, a good downhill run

The Nethermead, rolling hills in the Picnic House area

The Long Meadow Slope—Tennis House Area in Prospect Park

Vanderbilt Playground – off of Prospect Park Southwest

Bay Ridge – Owl’s Head Park at Colonial Road and 68th Street. Hill is at Shore Road and 97th Street.

Sunset Park (enter at 41st/44th Street and 5th Avenue. Great views of the State of Liberty, too)

Comments

I have visited New York before but never get a chance to visit during winter season. I have enjoyed ice sledding in Russia with my friends. I have to enjoy this activity with my kids and wife and I hope they will love it. As you have posted good New York tourist information about ice sledding, I will think about New York City to visit in upcoming winter. Thanks for posting.

Never content to stay in one place, Meryl Pearlstein loves exploring the world and sharing her findings about food, travel and culture. The president and founder of New York City-based MDP Publicity, she is an expert in niche travel, concentrating on new experiences in family, luxury, food & wine, getaway, culture, spa, wine, sports and adventure holidays. Madly addicted to New York City (theater, music, restaurants, architecture, energy), she writes the "Stuff to Do" column on www.allny.com and is also a passionate foodie who reviews the city's restaurants for Gayot.com. Her book -- Fodor’s Family: New York City with Kids -- is a fitting complement to her writings about New York for the Fodor’s Guidebook series and other outlets such as Where New York, IN New York, City Guide, World Travel Guide, Splash Magazine, New York Magazine (Family, Weddings), The Daily Meal, Northshore Magazine, Global Traveler Magazine, Travel Squire, Boomer Magazine, and the Boston Herald.
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